Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin among shortlist considered for Trump's Army secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTHV) - Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin is one of four people being considered for the Secretary of the Army under the Trump administration.

In December 2016, President Donald Trump named Vincent Viola for the position, but he withdrew himself from consideration after citing financial conflicts.

Griffin said it's just an honor to be considered, but he is taking a wait-and-see approach on the process rather than getting ahead of himself.

"It certainly would be an exciting opportunity to serve a president," Griffin said. "I've served a president before, President George W. Bush, and it's amazing."

From June 2004 until December 2004, Griffin served as Research Director and Deputy Communications Director for Bush's re-election campaign.

Griffin, a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army, still serves as a judge advocate in the Army Reserves. He also previously spent four years in Congress and was a member of the House Armed Services Committee during that time. He said his time in the armed forces helped to prepare him for potential jobs like Army secretary.

"This is a dangerous world and there are a lot of challenges for the country and the Army will be, as we say, at the tip of the spear," Griffin said.

If selected, Griffin will have to go through a Senate confirmation, but at this time he's only had cursory conversations with Trump aides about the potential pick.

The other three in consideration are; Representative Chris Gibson of New York, former Representative Duncan L. Hunter of California, and Representative John Shimkus of Illinois.